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Description

Some of the most unusual sharkbirds, though, are those which have abandoned their active pelagic niches for more benthic lifestyles along the sea sediment. Unlike their relatives these animals are often colored cryptically in order to hide, and rely on ambush instead of speed to capture prey. The highly elongated, almost eel-like sandslinkers are the most extreme examples. These relatively small strixales are immediately recognizable for their massive spiked "teeth" formed by a keratin growth over bony projections of the jaw, as well as by unusually long and sinuous necks than other species that have to be more hydrodynamic. In fact most aquatic metamorph birds, though few show it, retain many neck vertebrae and thus have considerably more neck flexibility than similar teleost fishes.

Sandslinkers spend most of their lives buried up to their necks in the sediment, often with only their eyes and their beaks exposed. Many species use their small, pink tongues as a lure - they resemble fish or small worms along the sand and attract the attention of prey which is then rapidly skewered in the pronged jaws, which close shut like bear trap upon the slightest provocation.

This guy was done on commission, thanks for your support!

Full entry has been added to Sharkbirds sites page: sites.google.com/site/worldofs…

Support me on Patreon to see Serina updates early and other goodies: www.patreon.com/sheatherius

Description

Some of the most unusual sharkbirds, though, are those which have abandoned their active pelagic niches for more benthic lifestyles along the sea sediment. Unlike their relatives these animals are often colored cryptically in order to hide, and rely on ambush instead of speed to capture prey. The highly elongated, almost eel-like sandslinkers are the most extreme examples. These relatively small strixales are immediately recognizable for their massive spiked "teeth" formed by a keratin growth over bony projections of the jaw, as well as by unusually long and sinuous necks than other species that have to be more hydrodynamic. In fact most aquatic metamorph birds, though few show it, retain many neck vertebrae and thus have considerably more neck flexibility than similar teleost fishes.

Sandslinkers spend most of their lives buried up to their necks in the sediment, often with only their eyes and their beaks exposed. Many species use their small, pink tongues as a lure - they resemble fish or small worms along the sand and attract the attention of prey which is then rapidly skewered in the pronged jaws, which close shut like bear trap upon the slightest provocation.

This guy was done on commission, thanks for your support!

Full entry has been added to Sharkbirds sites page: sites.google.com/site/worldofs…

Support me on Patreon to see Serina updates early and other goodies: www.patreon.com/sheatherius